GWC Squash House RD1: Stefanoni Showdown Set For Quarters

The GWC Squash House Challenger got underway on Friday in Greenwich, Connecticut, United States, and two home hopes, in Marina and Lucie Stefanoni, have set up a quarter final clash at the Challenger 5 level tournament.

Marina came into the competition as the top seed, and she took on fellow American Caroline Fouts in the opening round of the tournament, dropping just 13 points across a straight game victory, in which she even won the third 11-0 to assert her dominance.

She will now face younger sister Lucie in the last eight in Greenwich, after the American defeated Mexico’s Diana Gasca in the first round. The tournament’s No.6 seed dropped just a point more than her elder sibling in her opening day contest, winning 11-4, 11-3, 11-7 to make the quarter finals.

Elsewhere in the draw, Frenchwoman Julia Le Coq took the only surprise win of the first round, as she defeated Mexico’s No.5 seed Diana Garcia to make it through. Le Coq won a tight first game 11-9, before then winning the second game comfortably. The third was also close, but the Frenchwoman was able to clinch the win in straight games. She will now face England’s No.2 seed Torrie Malik in the quarter finals of the Challenger 5 level competition.

The GWC Squash House Challenger continues with quarter final action on Saturday, September 24, where the Stefanoni will go head-to-head along with he other three matches, as places in the semi-finals are secured.

First Round Results: GWC Squash House Challenger
[1] Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt Caroline Fouts (USA) 3-0; 11-6, 11-7, 11-0
[6] Lucie Stefanoni (USA) bt Diana Gasca (MEX) 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 11-7
[8] Hannah Blatt (CAN) bt Anastasiia Kostiukova (UKR) 3-1: 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9
[3] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) bt Zaynab Khan (PAK) 3-0: 12-10, 11-1, 11-6
[4] Zeina Zein (EGY) bt Lara Varma (USA) 3-0: 11-2, 11-1, 11-2
[7] Laura Tovar (COL) bt Arisha Khan (USA): Walkover
Julia Le Coq (FRA) bt [5] Diana Garcia (MEX) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-9
[2] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt Sohaila Ismail (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 12-10, 8-11, 11-4

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, September 24
[1] Marina Stefanoni (USA) v [6] Lucie Stefanoni (USA)
[8] Hannah Blatt (CAN) v [3] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND)
[4] Zeina Zein (EGY) v [7] Laura Tovar (COL)
Julia Le Coq (FRA) v [2] Torrie Malik (ENG)